When planning a road trip, start your journey from Cape Town and then make your way up to Namaqualand. The Namaqualand Flower Route is a stretch of road that connects the towns, cities, national parks and reserves that claims South Africa’s most impressive wildflower displays. With springtime around the corner, the region will soon completely transform with flowering life boasting more colours than seems possible for one place.
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It’s the best place to visit that transforms into a flowering garden only once a year. Namaqualand (or Namakwaland in Afrikaans),— is the world’s only exception that flourishes every spring. Prepare to be blown away by the brightly-painted landscape rolling across acres of barren land. Even if you are not a flora-enthusiast, it’s difficult not to be impressed with such a sight. The season can start as early as July and end as late as October, depending on the timing of the rain throughout the year.
There are so many variations to this route, which can be extended or shortened depending on your time frame. The most popular of the route starts from Cape Town, although many argue that Nieuwoudtville, roughly 4 hours north or even West Coast National Park, just one hour north of Cape Town is the best defining starting point of the Namaqualand Flower Route. The finish point is Port Nolloth. From here, the Richtersveld National Park and Alexander Bay are accessible, taking on several more hours of driving. If you’ve got the time, the explosion of colourful wildflowers in these areas is definitely worth the extra drive.
So what are you waiting for? Start planning that road trip with some friends or family and see the Namaqualand daisies for yourself!
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